Highland Hospital Offers Free Bariatric Weight Loss Seminar in Olean

Region-leading provider in weight loss surgery offers information on surgical options, pre- and post-surgery self-care and wellness tips, Q&A session with a bariatric surgeon specially trained in minimally invasive procedures.


Highland Hospital, the region’s leading provider of bariatric (weight loss) surgery, will host a free informational seminar on bariatric surgery, March 11 at Country Inn & Suites, 3270 NYS Route 417 West, Olean.  Event sign-in begins at 5:30 p.m; the seminar takes place from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

Highland Hospital performs more bariatric surgeries than any hospital in the region. It regularly offers free informational sessions in Rochester; the March 11 event will be the first offered in Olean.

The seminar presenter is Lael Forbes, M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Dr. Forbes practices at Highland Hospital, a URMC affiliate; she specializes in minimally invasive bariatric surgery.

Bariatric surgery has an 80 percent success rate, and is option for:

  • Those who are at least 100 pounds overweight

  • Have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more

  • Or have a BMI of 35 or more and are experiencing obesity-related health conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

The seminar includes:

  • An overview by Dr. Forbes of the different types of surgery

  • A presentation on the long-term nutritional counseling and support patients receive before, during and after their surgical experience. This is an important component of the Highland Bariatrics program, because lifestyle and diet changes are keys to providing patients the best possible outcome.

  • Information about a new offering at Highland: body contouring surgery, a specialized form of plastic surgery for patients who have lost a great deal of weight.

Highland Hospital is the region’s only Bariatric Surgery Center accredited by the American College of Surgeons for the quality of its clinical services. For more information about weight loss surgery at Highland, go to www.HighlandHospital.org.

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About Highland Hospital

The hospital opened in 1889 as one of the first homeopathic hospitals in the United States. In 1921, Highland became the first hospital in the country to use insulin in the treatment of diabetes. Today, Highland is well-known for its comprehensive orthopedics services, women's services, nationally ranked geriatrics program, regional leading gastric bypass surgery center, extensive network of primary care physicians, newly renovated radiology department, medical/radiation oncology, cardiology, neurology, and much more. Learn more at www.highlandhospital.org.